Colin and Justin: Turn your home office into an executive suite

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if you’re lucky enough to work from home, telecommuting stacks the business odds in your favour

Working from home has long been a part of our professional remit.

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Whether instructing trades, dealing with clients or timetabling schedules with TV producers, we spend a significant part of each day tied to our desk.

Our lives, however, are made easier by technology: thanks to Skype, Facetime and conference calls, we perform on an international playing field in an orderly manner.  Indeed wherever placed, geography bears little relation to that which we achieve.

Much of our operational ease can be explained by telecommuting, a buzz phrase coined in 1973 by engineer and rocket scientist Jack Nilles, that describes the way in which output is optimized if work goes to the worker rather than the worker going to work.

Writing this column, we’ve already laid down our virtual quills, momentarily, to take part in a conference call, and we’ve a Skype hook up ahead.

Guess it’s fair to say that, even with 5,700 kilometres between Toronto and London, the web negates distance, and for that we’re eternally grateful.

There exists, however, a potential downside to working (and video calling) from home.  Having viewed myriad untidy home offices (during multiple conference calls) it’s clear there’s work to be done.

Last thing you need is for a client or colleague to observe your disarray as a reflection of that which they might expect in terms of professional output.

Before so much as hooking up our camera to undertake any on screen negotiation, we look around to ensure everything’s up to speed.

We’ll set lighting, arrange our desk and optimize anything that can be viewed from the other end of the call.

And, on an admittedly superficial level, we’ll glance in the mirror to ensure we’re looking our best. Think that’s vain? Wouldn’t you do the same in an office washroom before heading into an important meeting or interview? Precisely.

This in mind, here’s a home office we transformed from chaotic to orderly. It’s not rocket science (even though our inspiration derives from the musings of the aforementioned rocket scientist) but the project took planning.

Here’s the skinny…

Free up floor space

To create a good impression, eradicate everything you don’t need. Archive past papers and store current bumph in an easily retrievable fashion.

We suggest a balance between open and closed storage: open for that which you’re happy to showcase, and closed (we used Alex cabinets from IKEA) for associated paraphernalia you’d rather position on a discreet basis.

Look at things differently

Our project demonstrates that, to effect a successful reversion, it’s not how much money you spend, rather how much time you spend planning. Think outside the box to ensure budget doesn’t undermine results.

To moderate costs, for example, we used square-cut kitchen counter as a desktop, its aluminum edging simply adding to the scheme.

Let there be light

Directional track spots allow for light to beam in and out as required, whilst simple lamps flank the desk to illuminate the workstation.

Drilling the counter, and employing cable ducting, avoided trailing wires. Detail like this, for us, is crucial.

Colour coding

Files and boxes in various hues (we used lime, orange and black) are an effective way to stash items, whilst differentiating between contents.

Order is essential, but so too are bursts of visual interest – offices needn’t be lacklustre. Staples carry a range of colourful storage, so pop in and find a colour palette that suits your look.

Designer touches

Set the scene – every good sales pitch deserves a lovely stage upon which to play. On the desk front here, we added Plexiglas, drilled and screwed in place, the installation imbuing our vignette with a spot of designer verve.

Finally, like any room we tackle, we layered with vases, accessories and fresh flowers to complete the picture.

So it’s pretty clear, huh? The traditional commute can be a drag, but, if you’re lucky enough to work from home, telecommuting stacks the business odds in your favour: if, that is, your environment is suitably manicured. It goes without saying that, if you get it right, those who visit (or call) will be reassured you mean business…

Watch for Colin and Justin on Citytv’s Breakfast Television. Find the Colin
and Justin Collection in stores across Canada. Visit www.colinandjustin.tv.